Library
Time machine?
It almost feels surreal – we are back to winter and lockdown. Our Libraries are not the same without students and teachers being in the spaces. Lockdown does however allow us to rethink and reorganise as well as catch up on paperwork.
Having presented our Senior School Library renovation to a large group of Victorian school library staff via the School Library Association’s Masterclass series has led me to reflect and reconsider our purpose. Stories were shared by several schools outlining the journey developing their new or refurbished spaces and the ways in which they have gained more traction in terms of educating their community. The recording of this class has now been released and Miss Welst and I plan to watch it together while we have the luxury of interrupted time to consider what we see elsewhere and compare it to our own spaces. This may mean that we will implement some changes immediately. In the meantime, if you wish to access resources, join the Premiers’ Reading Challenge or get help with Teams, OneNote or online resources please contact me msimkin@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au
Wheelers E-books and Audiobooks:
We now subscribe to both Primary and Secondary e-books and Secondary audio books. It is pleasing to see increased usage.
A total of 129 loans last month (61 loans more than the same month last year). Of the 97 active titles on loan or reserve, 76.29% were eBooks and 23.71% were Audiobooks. A total of 62 active patrons visited the site last month to borrow or reserve titles (46 patrons more than the same month last year).
It is good to see this data justifying the expense. The collection is a shared collection with a group of schools so a title you may wish may be “on loan”. It is possible to make a reservation, as long as there is not a massive list when the system will not allow you to add your name.
For anyone wishing to use the resources – the collection is accessible from SIMON home page Junior School links and for Senior students in the Library links section.
Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge:
It’s off and running again. So far we have Maelys Haynes and Harley Kearns with titles listed. Please add books as they are read if you are entering for your children. Older students can log their own!
Reading is the base skill for all subjects at school and all future careers. The boost achieved from reading can never be underestimated! Avid readers also make more empathetic adults as they have “walked” in so many different “people’s” shoes.
Senior School students from Years 7 to 10 are eligible to join. It can be a good way for a student to add a certificate to their collection which can demonstrate persistence, breadth and dedication to an interviewer in the near future.
Margaret Simkin
Head of Library